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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

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Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

• The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
  • "from the desk of" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
  • "your urgent reply" (they are rushing you so you don't have time to think properly)
• This email message is a next of kin scam.
• This email lists mobile phone numbers. Use of such numbers is typical for scams because they allow criminals to conceal their true location. They can receive calls in an Internet cafe from where they send you emails, while pretending to be in some office.
  • +2348030745135 (Nigeria, prepaid mobile phone)
• This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
  • us01@post.cz

Fraud email example:

From: "USMAN AHMED" <equitybank_usman01@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: us01@post.cz
Date: Thu, 06 Oct 2005 00:51:39 +0000
Subject: Equity International Trust Bank Plc

Equity International Trust Bank Plc
Apapa Branch
Lagos-Nigeria
Tel:+234-8030745135
Fax:+234-1-7597181


From the desk of : Mr. Usman Ahmed

Having gotten your contact details through the
Internet, that you have been doing all what is
neccessary to deserve trust, coupled with my deep
interest to invest in your country, i decided to
contact and solicit your mutual assistance at all
cost.

I am Mr. Usman Ahmed , Branch Manager, Equity
International Trust Bank Plc of Nigeria. In January
6th 2003,Mr. Spagnol Michael Reece, A British
National, a consultant/contractor with Theobalt &
Gardiner Construction Company made a numbered time
(Fixed) Deposit, valued at US$55,500,000.00 (Eightyfive
Million,Five Hundred United States Dollars), for
twelve (12) calender months in my Bank branch.

Upon maturity, we sent a routine notification to his
forwarding address but got no reply. After a month,
we sent a reminder and finally we discovered from his
contractor employers that Mr. Spagnol Michael Reece
died in an automobile accident.

On further investigation,I found out that he died
without making a WILL, and all attempts to trace his
next of kin was fruitless.

I therefore made further investigation and discovered
that Mr.Spagnol Michael Reece, did not declare any
next of kin or relations in all his official
documents, including his Bank Deposit paper-work in my
Bank.

This sum of US$ 55,500,000.00 is still in my Bank and
the interest is being rolled over with the principal
sum at the end of each year. No one will ever come
forward to claim it. In accordance with the Nigerian
Federal Law, at the expiration of 4 (four) years, the
money will revert to the ownership of the Nigerian
Government, if nobody applies as the Next of kin to
claim the fund.

Consequently,I shall present you as a foreign partner
to stand in as the next of kin to the Late Mr. Spagnol
Michael Reece so that you and i can benefit from the
fruits of this old man's labour to enhance
Humanitarian Organisation World wide.

Upon acceptance, I shall send to you either by fax or
e-mail a scan copy of the Equity International Trust
Bank Plc "Next of Kin Payment Application Form" as
well the Detailed Information on how this business
would be successfully transacted.

We shall employ the services of an attorney for the
drafting and notorization of the LAST WILL/TESTAMENT
of Late Mr. Spagnol Michael Reece and to obtain all
other relevant papers in your name for the necessary
documentations for payment approval in my bank
headquaters and in your favour.

The money will be share in the ratio of 60% for me,
35% for you and 5% for any arising contingencies
during the process of this transaction.

There is no risk involved as i will use my position as
the Bank Branch Manager to secure approvals and
guarantee the successful execution of this transaction
and it will take only 7-10 working days. Please you
must observe utmost confidentiality.

If this proposal interest you, please reply me
immediately via the fax or private email address above
and please include your private phone number for
voice contact and fax number so I can provide you with
more details and relevant documents that will help you
understand the transaction.

Be sure to reach me and send your response to my post
accounts: E-mail { us01@post.cz }

Please have every second thought and be sure if you
are interested before you contact me, don’t just
contact me because of the amount involved but please
only do so if you know you are genuinely interested
and will give it the required commitment for the good
of us all.

Awaiting your urgent reply.
Thanks,
Best regards.
Mr. Usman Ahmed

Anti-fraud resources:

• What can you do when you receive 419 spam